Whiting: Experts say use turn signals or risk crashes

Sept. 27, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Orange County sheriff's Deputy Wayne Howard of the traffic bureau in Aliso Viejo kneels next to the yellow flashing turn signal of his vehicle. A survey states that barely half of drivers use turn signals when changing lanes and 25 percent neglect signals when turning. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County sheriff's Deputy Wayne Howard of the traffic bureau in Aliso Viejo demonstrates how easy it is to use the turn signal with a finger while holding the wheel of his vehicle. A survey states that barely half of drivers use turn signals when changing lanes and 25 percent neglect signals when turning. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County sheriff's Deputy Wayne Howard is with the traffic bureau in Aliso Viejo. A survey states that barely half of drivers use turn signals when changing lanes and 25 percent neglect signals when turning. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Orange County sheriff's Deputy Wayne Howard of the traffic bureau in Aliso Viejo kneels next to the yellow flashing turn signal of his vehicle. A survey states that barely half of drivers use turn signals when changing lanes and 25 percent neglect signals when turning.MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Because they are engineers interested in saving lives, SAE's solution to solve signal neglect is something called the Smart Turn Signal, a device that automatically turns on and off turn signals.

I guess that makes sense – for cars built in the future.

But for cars on the road today, I shake my head and wonder. Are we becoming so lazy, self-centered or preoccupied that we can't flip a little stick with our pinkie finger?

Apparently so.

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Jensen, an attorney who splits his business life between Orange County and Michigan, suggests a more low-tech invention:

Writing in an online forum, Jensen states, "If your hands are both busy and you are driving with your knees (phone in one hand coffee or makeup in the other), it is almost impossible to flip the turn signal lever. We simply do not have enough appendages.

"Perhaps they should attach a string to the lever that we can hold in our mouths and pull the lever by moving our head around."

Of course, Jensen's kidding. But he also raises a serious point.

Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Wayne Howard, a traffic expert, reports that while technology makes much of our lives easier, it can also make life more dangerous.

"People get in their own little world when they drive. They've got to remember it's not just them.

"They're sharing the road with thousands."

Howard says that more and more, people multi-task while driving. "People's cars are an extension of the work place."

Echoing Jensen, Howard, says, "People drive with their knees." The deputy says he's even seen people driving and watching TV.

So have I.

And here's the thing that drives me nuts: I find myself trying to watch their TV.

Dumb? Yes. Funny? No.

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SAE puts things in context in its report: "Turn signal neglect is a problem that causes more crashes than distracted driving."

Howard explains that with all the distractions, "Simple important tasks are being overlooked."

Failure to signal, Howard cautions, can result in a ticket, usually a yielding violation, sometimes an unsafe lane change violation.

If you do get pulled over, here are a series of excuses you might want to avoid. They were cited by drivers in Response's study: 42 percent, not enough time; 23 percent, lazy; 17 percent, don't want to worry about turning off the signal; 12 percent, change lanes too frequently; 11 percent, not important; 8 percent, no one else signals.

The weirdest reason? Seven percent said they don't use turn signals because it makes driving more exciting.

Somehow, it seems like enough of an adrenaline pump to be in charge of a speeding two-ton hunk of metal surrounded by other speeding hulks containing men, women and children.

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The SAE report also criticizes a culture of not taking turn signals seriously: "We can see that the non-use of turn signals is somewhat of a running joke as well as the subject of sarcastic bumper stickers, newspaper editorials, etc."

Perhaps. But not in this column.

I signal.

But Deputy Howard and Jensen nailed me on knee steering. You're reading a column by such an idiot. But I promise to stop.

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